Re: [Paddlewise] Ripped Out of the Cockpit?

Strosaker_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> I occasionally read stories about kayakers being ripped, sucked, yanked or
> whatever out of the cockpit when they are thrashed by some big wave in the
> surf.  I've been slammed, cartwheeled and thoroughly thrashed by some decent
> waves, and this has never happened to me.  Are these stories just a sorry
> excuse for losing one's cool and blowing the hatch too soon?  Maybe their
> boats aren't fitted tight enough?  I just don't know!
> 
I have never been ripped out of a kayak cockpit, but last fall we
accidently did a big water (4.1 feet) canoe run of the Chatooga. It was
low when we started, but it rained all day. My canoe has a Perception
saddle. For those of you unfamiliar with these, they have massive knee
braces in front and Yakima footpegs behind, so that when you kneel in
the boat, your lower leg is firmly held in. When I swim, I have to think
about it.

Anyhow, at one point I misjudged a hydraulic at the base of a rapid and
got stuck in the hole. I was able to side-surf it for a few seconds,
then flipped. As soon as I was upside down, I was out of the boat and
taking a _deep_ swim. I did not decide to exit, I was out before I had
time to think about it. I came up about 50' downstream.

Steve
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